A different kind of copywriter.

Hi gang.

I'm brand new here. I'm a copywriter like no other. You see, while other copywriters come from the world of marketing or journalism, I come with 18 years experience writing scripted television in Hollywood.

So you could probably guess that my sales copy is more than just hyped up swiped phrases. I paint pictures... tell stories... and lead the reader down the slippery slide to the sale by keeping the copy compelling.

I can't figure out how to add a signature here and I don't want to post a link and piss off the powers that be, so just add a dot com to my username and you'll get my site.

I'm new to this forum, but certainly not to writing copy that sucks credit cards out of readers' wallets.

 

Good luck, a link won't bother anyone.

Cheers.

 

Hi Montello -- Links aren't activated until after 10 posts, so please read the FAQ/Rules to acquaint yourself with the proper procedures.

Welcome to DP!

 

Thanks for the welcome. When I hit the magic "10" I'll put my siggy up.

 

Good luck MontelloMarketing

 

Welcome aboard, Montello!

 

I'm not sure bashing others is a good way to start in any community, but welcome just the same.

Journalist tell stories too.

BTW, watch what you say. First you said,

"my sales copy is more than just hyped up swiped phrases."

Then you close with

"copy that sucks credit cards out of readers' wallets."

I'm not bashing you, but since you understand language to some degree, you can laugh at this with the rest of us.

Good luck with everything.

 

Nice website, Montello. Not "hyped-up" at all.

 

lol Zainie, you're always good for a laugh.

 

You manage all that in 11 words or less and you can't figure out how to add a signature ... hmmm ... I see.

 

I think he's too new to have a sig, that's all.

 

Perhaps you're right - perhaps I've been unfair on him - but then just lately I've seen so many crap copywriters claiming that they have the secret to success and have had to rewrite their garbage that I get a little cynical when people hit the boards and blow their own trumpet

 

Yep. I get hired to rewrite a lot of other people's press releases here too. I just let them say whatever they want. The more they write, the more editing jobs I get. Look at it that way.

I have to admit though, I'm beyond not being a "fan" of people trying to sell themselves through sales letter sites... especially when they're claiming to be a marketing professional on any level. Using it to sell an ebook... hate it, but fine. Common enough that I'm used to it and can ignore it. But on a service site it bothers me a heck of a lot more. Just my opinion of course. They may get results, and you'll hear that arguement all the time. But I find other options can easily bring in even more sales w/o coming across as "scammy", "spammy", and all that jazz. But hey... to each his own I suppose.

 

Montello,
Hi, welcome to DP.

On scammy, hyped up writing: what I've found is that "hyped up" sales letters do sell online, which is why they are used. But their audience is usually people new to the Internet, or to marketing online. It sucks new people in, they buy...but once you've seen one or two letters, they start looking and sounding the same.

Here's a really funny online letter that pokes fun at this type of writing:

http://www.buymystupidebook.com/

It made me laugh out loud!

The best writing I've seen online takes elements of direct response copywriting, but uses it effectively. It isn't always necessary to take a "sales letter" approach; while that can work for information products, for most businesses, a different approach works better.

What I have learned from studying (and yes, writing) many sales letters is this:
-It is vital to address a problem the customer faces (their "pain point")
-Strong headlines are a must, or people won't read further
-Use "you" frequently, and focus on the benefits to the reader
-Have a strong call to action
-Identify the USP and use it in your copy

I'm planning on writing a short course on "How to write great sales copy" at some point...once I find time

Sheri

Best wishes,
Sheri

 

Stuart,

I completely agree with you about crap copywriters. I too am having to rewrite their work all the time.

I can see how my initial post seemed like blowing my trumpet a bit, but I did want to put out there that I'm a direct response CW that really comes from a whole different place.

My experience as an entertainment writer helps me write a different kind of copy for selling. It's more story based.

And... Stuart... contrary to what you inferred from my initial post, I'm not claiming there is a big darn secret.

I'm constantly telling clients and new copywriters that there is no magic bullet to great copy.

That said, I think you have to admit that copywriters who know their stuff and know how to implement it, can all blur into one entity.

I mean, they know the same formats... they know the same structures... they know the same emotional buttons and when to push them. They know the importance of all the elements.

As do I. But everyone (if they're smart) will try to distinguish themselves... bring something different and unique to the party. Some bring SEO tactics... others bring a journalism style. Me... I bring 18 years of scripting tv shows. That's my hook. That's the extra push my copy has.

And I think we all know what they say about facts and stories, don't we?

A writer whose name escapes me at the moment, put it this way...

"Tell me and you've written an essay. Show me and you've written a story."

No one wants to read an essay, but everyone loves a good story.

Anyway Stuart. I think you're right. I think you've misjudged me. Only time will tell, huh?

Vin

(The guy who doesn't yet rate a sig)

 

You are welcome bros

 

Hey Montello,

Did you get your sig tag yet?

Go to your CP, type in your tag, and just click the Hyperlink, it will take care of it for you. Then you can keep previewing it until you get it the way you want. You have fifteen posts, so you should be good to go.

Welcome to the forum,

 

Thanks Charisse,

I did get it. I guess on this board software it doesn't add it to earlier posts, like it does on others.

 

I was hoping that it would add them to the previous posts as well.

Oh well.